Weekend Inspiration: V-Day

Hey loves, happy Friday! What sort of fun plans do you have up your sleeves for the weekend? Any adventures in store? We're sticking around the city and have many errands, meetings and catch ups planned... and by "catch ups" I mean sleeping and watching movies that were missed in the theater. SO. EXCITED. With Valentine's Day coming up on Tuesday, some crafting will inevitably be taking place too. Growing up, making valentines was my {Anna's} favorite part about the holiday. I love these fun ideas for cards and other treats to make V-Day a bit more special...

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At first glance this card looks way too complicated or fancy to be a DIY, but thanks to Kind Over Matter, we have the step-by-step directions to ensure perfection. Maybe not the best option if you have a long list of valentines to make, but aren't they just amazing?

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Leave it up to Martha to think of the coolest way to deliver pink and red candy yet still make sure the packaging is personalized. I LOVE these bags and they aren't too labor intensive once you get the photo scanned and printed!

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Valentine's Day straws?! I'm a sucker for striped straws {pun intended} and these straw ornaments are so cute! Whether you're making them for a small soiree or your kiddos class, these are definitely one V-day gift that will make an impression. Get the how to here!

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A fancy little fact about these cute cards: this DIY was intended for kids, but they're cute enough for grown ups!!! The mini-vellum envelopes add the perfect touch too, with those bright squares shining through!

So tell me, are you making Valentine's Day cards this year? Yes, it may be a tradition for kiddos, but I don't believe that's a good reason to hold back. :) Call me crazy... but I'm about to get crafting!

Have a fabulous weekend!

Happy Holidays!

After a long and incredible year, we're closing up shop to relax and celebrate the holidays with friends and family. This is our absolute favorite time of year- we're humbled by the meaning of Christmas and what it represents...

"For to us a child is born... and he will be called Wonderful Counselor,

Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

{Isaiah 9:6}

... so as we reflect, rejoice and rejuvenate in the week to come, we hope that your days are nothing short of fabulous.

Safe travels and get ready for an A M A Z I N G 2012!!!

Dear Santa

This year we're making a special effort to put more emphasis on the purpose of Christmas, enjoying quality time with loved ones... and taking away some of the consumerism of the holiday. While I'm convinced that this will make our holiday season more sentimental, it's really REALLY tough to ignore this one item on my Holiday Wishlist:

All I really want is to bling in the New Year with this stunning cherry red Marc Jacobs bag! Is that bad? What's top on your list this year?

*Photo courtesy of Nordstom

Wedding inspiration: winter white & purple

Southern Weddings is one place that just ignites our wedding inspiration and keeps ideas flooding in. If you're not a regular over at their site {or their magazine} please sister, become one- you will not be disappointed! This year we've loved seeing shades of purple make it's way into wedding color palettes. Regardless of what season the nuptials are taking place, this color adds romance, fun and elegance. This inspiration shoot over on Southern Weddings only makes us fall harder- the warm candle light, shimmering tree, vintage lace, all in winter white, rich purples and accented with gold- what's not to love?

I just love how they used pinecones at each place setting to add that rustic element and a punch of texture. Be sure and check out the rest of these gorgeous photos to see the hot cocoa bar they had... complete with vanilla chai and cider options! What a sweet idea for a winter wedding!!

*Photos courtesy of Chudleigh Weddings via Southern Weddings

Wrappers Delight

After hours on end of fighting crowds and searching for the perfect gifts, relief washes over you and the hunt is finished. Now comes the fun part... wrapping! Yes, this is one of my personal favorite parts about giving a gift. It's like going to a nice restaurant and looking at the beautiful presentation of a dish that you're about to dig in to. It's an art. Each year I choose a color palette {yes this sounds a little crazy, but don't hate} and all of the gifts I give are wrapped to coordinate with each other. I just can't fathom how anyone could hate gift wrapping?! Since your shopping is done {or will be soon} we figured that now is the perfect time to share some super fun, funky & EASY ways to dress up those gifts!

1- Font Fun

2- Make your own bows

3- Brighten things up with yarn

4- Recycle old sheet music

5- Bakers twine + a cute tag

6- Use foreign newspaper

7- Bow alternatives

Hopefully this helps in your search for how to wrap and adorn those sweet gifts this year! Have fun with it and embrace the chance to decorate something other than trees & cookies!

Here's to the holidays!

Just nine days left until Christmas!! Will you be finishing up holiday shopping this weekend? Holiday party hopping? Baking festive treats? Whatever you end up doing we hope it's filled with smiles and relaxation... and time to enjoy the season. While juggling various weekend to-do's we'll be sipping on a White Chocolate Peppermint Martini that we saw over on Wedding Chicks the other day. It's been calling our name ever since {still having a chocolate & peppermint love-fest} and it's sounding like the perfect way to slip into the weekend. Couldn't resist sharing just incase you wanted to join us!

White Chocolate Peppermint Martini

2 oz Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur 1 oz Peppermint Schnapps 1 oz Vanilla Vodka 1oz Whipping cream

Combine ingredients in a martini shaker filled with ice. Shake and pour. Oh, and don't forget to rim with crushed candy canes for that extra special touch!

Here's to the holidays! Happy Friday, darlings!!

*Photos courtesy of Christina Diane via Wedding Chicks

A Christmas Purseday

Tis the season for holiday parties!! The only thing better than a low key tacky Christmas sweater party is getting fancified {yes, that's a word} for an elegant affair. If you're slipping into the classic little black dress, you need an accessory to make it POP, right? Something nice and festive, yea? Well ladies, feast your eyes on these ruffly little silk clutches by Minnesota based, Ila Handbags.

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Now to decide what color would best compliment the mistletoe...

Winter wedding trend: Pinecones

One of my favorite things about winter weddings is the fact that something can be simultaneously romantic, chic and cozy. It's a rare occasion that all 3 of these are combined but this glitzy pinecone inspiration board sums it up quite nicely! Perfectly rustic chic, don't you think? Truly, I can't think of a better winter wedding decoration- pinecones are plentiful {almost obnoxiously so}, inexpensive and they add texture and shape to so many details. WIN!

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For all those brides who are dreaming up ideas for your winter wedding, may you be inspired! Even though we're not in wedding planning mode, some of these ideas are so fun they may just sneak into the holiday home decor!!

Let it snow

Happy Monday! Maybe it's just me but I'm so excited for this week to get started! The weekend was delightfully fun, complete with an elegant belated birthday celebration with some dear friends {orchestrated by Emily} followed by lots of restful relaxation. Despite the non-traditional weather we've been having in New England these last few weeks, we can't deny that Christmas is going to be here before we know it! While it would be amazing for the snow to hold off for a few more weeks, it's been engrained in us to dream of a white Christmas. Well, to give the illusion of a white Christmas, I just love these little mason jar snow globes that I first spotted over at Anthropologie, but they're no longer available. Thankfully, those of us with a crafty side can partake in this sweet little DIY we found over on Kelly Moore's adorable blog.

If you dare, Do It Yourself... but we want to see pics of your festive holiday scene!!! Thank you Kelly, for the inspiration!

Chocolatey Peppermint Goodness

The second weekend in December marks an important milestone in the holiday season... the weekend of baking!!! Resist no longer, friends! The season is in full swing and this year, I have my eyes on all things chocolatey and peppermint. Here are a few drool-worthy goodies that I've had my eyes on as I map out the 2011 Holiday Baking Extravaganza...

1. Peppermint Ball Cookies

2. Chocolate Espresso Snowcaps

3.  Peppermint Bark

Have you tried any of these before?! They're all new for me or twists on old classics, but I'm willing to put in the time to bake and re-bake until the recipe is just perfect. :) What are your favorite kinds of holiday treats? Any recipes that we MUST try this year???

Saving a Life

Happy Monday! How was everyone's weekend?! Hopefully you were able to do some festively fun & wintery activities amidst some relaxation. This weekend we had the opportunity to reflect on some ways to serve others during the holiday season. Something that I recently ran across on an Etsy shop, For the Fatherless keeps popping back into my head- an ornament which helps support a couple that is raising funds for their dream of adopting a Congolese baby. A baby that would otherwise might grow up in poverty or in a foster home... they want to give him a new chance. Doesn't that make this little glass ball all the more precious??

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If you'd like to support their cause or give one of these sweet ornaments as a gift, orders must be made by midnight on December 7th in order to be received by Christmas! Wouldn't these be adorable party favors?

A new tradition

Growing up, one of the best parts about the weeks leading up to Christmas was getting a tree, decorating it as a family and admiring the glittering lights in anticipation. Now that we're all gown up, the fam has been more focused on the meaning of the holiday & the relationships that are so dear. While visiting a friend the other day, she mentioned that their family had made an effort to "make" a Christmas tree every year. This has granted them a memorable family tradition and allowed them to spend less. Not to mention that it has taken some emphasis away from the tree and put more emphasis on the importance of being generous to those less fortunate. The end product of this years creation was something the whole family could be proud of- still with all the lights and ornaments. 

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Seeing how they were so creative with their "tree" was inspiring and a good challenge to not get wrapped up in having a grand color coordinated, themed tree and obsessing over all of the festive little details. This time of year is meant to be shared with loved ones, spend quality time and be generous with the ways we've been blessed.

Do you have any unique traditions to preserve the sweetness of the season?

Winter warmers

I don't know where you stand on the issue but I firmly believe that there are few things worse then being cold. Being born and raised in the pacific northwest did nothing to prepare these hands and feet for the chilly winters here in New England. While last winter was all about acquiring some coats that are warm enough to prevent frostbite, this winter is about bringing a little fashion back into the frigid snow packed days. Gratefully, everywhere I turn there are bright chunky scarves, sequins laden knits, vintage inspired leather and faux fur aplenty! Here's a round up of our favorite cold weather warmers, each are oh-so-feminine in their own way...

1: Michael Kors

2: Juicy Couture

3: Anthropologie

4: Marc Jacobs

Which ones are your favorite?? Cold weather goodies also make fun holiday gifts & stocking stuffers... just something to keep in mind for those who are in holiday shopping mode!

Happy Black Friday!

The day after Thanksgiving... while some people have been camping out in front of stores since yesterday and probably have their holiday shopping done, others have taken the equally festive route of busting out the Christmas decor and turning on the holiday tunes. How are you spending your day?? Historically we've been inclined to do the latter, but this year it sadly has to wait. In the interim, the ideas for decorating are stacking up and will likely be phased in gradually throughout the next couple of weeks. This easy to make + oh so chic holiday wreath may have to make an appearance on the front door this year...

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If you're in search of some crafting for the weekend, check out the full tutorial over on the Two Junk Chix blog post! Happy Black Friday!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

It's finally here! The day that is 100% devoted to rejoicing over all of the ways we are blessed. Regardless of where you're at in life- remember, there is always something to be thankful for. In the spirit of today, I couldn't resist sharing one of my favorite quotes about Thanksgiving...

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Emily and I wouldn't dare let this day pass without mentioning how thankful we are for YOU- our clients and our blog readers. You guys are so wonderful and inspirational, each in your own way and we're so very thankful for you- today and every other day. We hope that your day is flooded with smiles, laughter and lots of delicious food. Now get off that computer and go eat some more turkey!!

Here's to all that you're thankful for

Thanksgiving is TOMORROW!! Words can't describe just how excited I am for the holiday this year- the list of things I'm thankful for is ever growing and I've been jotting them down here and there. To have a whole day to reflect on the many ways we're blessed, now that sounds like paradise! :) So while you're putting those final touches on the big dinner {or lunch} or when you and your loved ones toast all the things you're thankful for, try out this festive Apple Cider Margarita!

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Safe travels if you're heading out of town for the holiday. If you're the one hosting, don't forget to check out some of our other fun Thanksgiving related ideas:

Looking for a new tradition with friends and family?

Bring in some super easy & festive candle holders to create ambience.

Make a super cute place card to wow your guests or if you're ambitious, try this table-scape.

Try incorporating mason jars for a rustic chic spin on holiday decorations & food presentation.

To finish off the meal, try one of these to-die-for desserts!

Giving thanks

The weekend passed by in what seemed like a blink of the eye and thankfully, we have a super short week ahead of us!! Who's excited?!?!?! Around this time of year, one thing that we're always on the lookout for is fun hostess gift ideas. Fitting perfectly with the rustic, cozy feeling of Thanksgiving, isn't this burlap bottle bag from Sweet C's Designs is such a fun way to pass along a delicious bottle of vino to your host or hostess?

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Truly, it's perfect for any time of year... and if you're thinking these might make fun party favors, Sweet C's Designs has you covered!! You could even fill them with other goodies like cookies or caramel corn!! OH I'm in love!

Just 10 days!

Can you believe there are just 10 days until Thanksgiving?? We're kind of freaking out about how fast time is flying by! While in the process of solidifying the upcoming holiday plans, I {Anna} can't help but to be a little bummed that I'm not spending the traditional Thanksgiving with my family in Seattle. Each year I'm responsible for the table decor... and I just adore putting together festive dishes with table runners, candles, a seasonally appropriate center piece and place cards. I'm convinced that my brothers still think I'm a freak for going to such great lengths but my fingers are crossed that deep down they love it! :) Anyway, I ran across this super cute idea on Jones Design Company Blog and couldn't resist passing it along! If you're the one in your family who "sets" the table, hopefully this grants you some inspiration!

SO cute, right?! But my favorite part are the thankfulness cards that your guests can write on...

Oh how I love this time of year!!!! To see the rest of their fun ideas and to download the template for these adorable thankfulness cards, go here. Enjoy!

**Don't forget to enter to win a set of our Letterpress Holiday Cards!**

*Photos courtesy of Jones Design Company

Fall Favorites: La Petite Coquin

Lena here from La Petite Coquin-I'm absolutely tickled to be guest blogging at Pearls for Paper today! Enjoying all this fall inspiration is enough to make a girl thirsty, but have no fear-your perfect autumn cocktail is here! I've been waiting for Whole Foods to open up their holiday table so I can get down to the business of ordering my Thanksgiving turkey, and to celebrate that free range bird I thought we could toast with a Cranberry Cobbler, a divine libation with plenty of fall flair!

Cranberry Cobbler serves 6 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries 1 lemon, cut into wedges 1/2 orange, sliced into thin rounds 1 1/2 cups London dry gin 1/2 cup plus 1 Tbsp. off-dry Sherry 6 mint sprigs

Heat 1 cup of simple syrup almost to a boil, then reduce heat to medium. Add cranberries and simmer until they just being to burst; let cool.

Place two tablespoons of drained cranberries and 6 tablespoons of cranberry syrup in a large pitched; add lemon wedges and orange slices. Mash fruit, then add gin and Sherry. Let steep for 5 minutes.

Fill rocks glasses with crushed ice. Strain cocktail into medium pitcher, then shake with ice. Strain into prepared glasses, then mound with additional crushed ice.

Notes: While this recipe is a bit more labor intensive that my usual libations, it's well worth the effort. For a non-alcoholic version, skip the gin and sherry and serve the cranberry syrup and muddled fruit with club soda or sparkling cider. Cheers!

Recipe by Jim Meehan, Photograph by Levi Brown for Bon Appetit.